1. Table Mountain
Without a doubt, Table Mountain attracts the most visitors above any other landmark in Cape Town. Whether visitors hope to climb this rugged giant, venture up in the cable car or simply get a glimpse of the famous mountain featured in guidebooks and postcards everywhere, a visit to Table Mountain is a must on any day tour in the city. The cable car is able to take visitors up to its summit at 1,085 metres / 3,563 feet in an astounding six minutes, giving you the most incredible panoramic views of the city. The clouds that come over the mountain are known as the ‘table cloth’, for obvious reasons – when these clouds descend, it really does look like a giant cloth is covering the flat top of the mountain. Table Mountain is open daily, with cable cars running from 08h00 in the morning – times vary depending on seasons, and are weather dependent.
2. The Castle of Good Hope
Another Cape classic, the Castle is one of the few remaining relics from the Cape’s early days as a military base. This is the oldest building in South Africa – built between 1666 and 1679 to replace a small clay and timber fort that was built by Jan van Riebeeck in 1652 when he established a rest station at the Cape of Good Hope for the Dutch East India Company. The Castle houses the regional headquarters of the South African Army in the Western Cape, as well as the William Fehr Collection of historic artworks, the Castle Military Museum and ceremonial facilities for traditional Cape Regiments, making this a must-see on any tours in Cape Town. The Castle of Good Hope is open every day from 09h00 to 16h00.
3. Company Gardens & SA Museum
The South African Museum and its beautiful Company Gardens are another must-see on any day tours in Cape Town. Situated off Keerom Street in Gardens, or off Orange Street or other access points, visitors can take a stroll through the gardens, feeding squirrels and viewing the array of ponds, trails and lawns, before visiting the museum, which houses a wide range of artefacts from South African history. The bushmen hall, animal hall, bird hall, marine hall (along with the whale well) and many other fascinating exhibits offer an educational and interesting day out for visitors of all ages. The museum is open daily from 08h00.
4. Rhodes Memorial
Situated on the Eastern side of Table Mountain, this beautiful memorial was erected in honour of Cecil John Rhodes, and has impressive stone lions, an imposing series of steep steps and a viewing area that offers panoramic views of the Cape Peninsula. There is also a tea garden, and easy access to hiking trails along the mountain.
5. V & A Waterfront
Now a hugely popular tourist destination, the Waterfront was once a lonely, unused harbour. Developments have turned this area into a thriving hub of shops, restaurants, boat charters and activity, with many of the old buildings still to be seen. Look out for the distinctive red Clock Tower, as well as converted Victorian warehouses that now house shops and markets, plus the interesting sites such as the Battery and ancient harbour areas. This is ideal for Cape Town tours, and you could easily spend a day exploring the area.
